All cases
Satanic Motivated Profanation of 63 tombs in Lannemezan
August 9, 2020, FranceDuring the night of August 9th, 63 tombs were vandalized and desecrated in the Lannemezan cemetery in the Hautes-Pyrénées region. Broken crosses and upside down plaques were discovered by family members. The police was alerted by the neighbors who heard the loud noise. A week later, the two young perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to 18 and 12 months in prison. According to their testimony the vandalism was driven by satanic motivations.
Wayside Cross Vandalized in Magneville
August 9, 2020, FranceA wayside cross in Magneville/Manche was knocked down, leaving both the cross and the figure of Christ broken into pieces. An observer informed the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on August 9th.
Insulting Slogan Written on Doorsteps of Church in Cousances-les-Forges
August 9, 2020, FranceDuring a walk in Cousances-les-Forges, a visitor noticed an inscription written on the doorsteps of the church with a marker, saying "I am the God of Fuck". He contacted the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on July 31 and provided them with a picture on August 9.
Vandals Defaced Church of Santo Stefano di Macurano
August 9, 2020, ItalyOn the 9th of August, the medieval Church of Santo Stefano di Macurano, in the countryside of Alessano, was defaced with paint inscriptions on the walls. The phrases were vulgar and blasphemous made with red and black paint insulting the Church and God. The perpetrators were identified through witnesses and security cameras as an Italian man and a German woman.
Many Religious Objects Stolen from Saint-Georges Church of Chavanges
August 8, 2020, FranceOn the 8th August, the parish priest of the Church Saint-Georges of Chavanges found that two chalices, five ciboria, and a paten were stolen from the Church. On Monday, they filed a complaint to the gendarmerie in Brienne-le-Château. The objects did not have financial value. Therefore, the bias must have been to vandalize the place of worship. Also, the key to the tabernacle was stolen, so other items may also be missing. The Church usually remains closed at night. Hence, the perpetrators must have broken in.
Two Churches Vandalized On The Same Night
August 8, 2020, FranceDuring the night of Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th August, two churches were vandalized in Etsaut and Urdos. It was an act of pure vandalism. The priest of the church of Etsaut thinks it was a group of perpetrators. The mayor filed a complaint to the police since the door was broken open, and the door of the sacristy was damaged too. The cupboards of the sacristy were open, and a small amount of money was stolen. There were no witnesses. The church of Urdos witnessed a similar scenery. The sacristy was forced open, but this time nothing was stolen.
The Interior Of the Onze Lieve Vrouw van Banneux Chapel Demolished
August 8, 2020, BelgiumOn 8th August in the morning, the chapel Onze Lieve Vrouw van Banneux in Bree was vandalized. The interior was almost entirely demolished. Numerous statues were smashed, candle wax was dripped all over, and all the candles were destroyed, the walls and the ceiling were smeared. In 2016, 2014 and 2003 the Chapel was also vandalized. The local residents had heard the sound of destruction and broken glass, and reported the suspect to the police. It was a man from abroad without papers.
Act of Vandalism To The Statue Of St. Joseph
August 8, 2020, ItalyOn Saturday 8th August, a vandal struck the Statue of St. Joseph in the Madonna della Pace Church in Pantelleria-Tracino. The hand of the saint was damaged. The statue will need a restoration.
A Church Vandalized with Graffiti in Marseille
August 7, 2020, FranceOn the 7th August, graffiti were found on the facade of the former church of the Mission de France in rue du Tapis-Vert in Marseille. The Graffiti were probably made at different times.
Three Statues of The Church of Saint-André Destroyed
August 7, 2020, FranceDuring the last weeks before the 7th August, there were three acts of vandalism in St. Andrew Church in the historic center of Niort. It is suspected that the vandals came during the nights from Thursday to Friday and destroyed several statues of the church. The Statue of the infant Jesus, carried in the arms of St. Anthony was left in a thousand pieces. Some pieces were thrown in a trash can near the monument. The Church remained closed for safety, and the parish filed a complaint to the police.